Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre

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Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
ISSUE 179 SUMMER 2017–2018
                                                          THE NORTH & WEST MELBOURNE NEWS IS PRODUCED BY VOLUNTEERS AT THE CENTRE

Melrose group: sharing stories through art

Melrose artists at the exhibition opening with tutor Judith Young (second from right)                                                                                                    Photo: Nick Lucak

Sari Wawn                                             works were not exhibited, as they ended up as       and learn from each other about culture and       painting, but members have also worked with
                                                      gifts for friends.                                  family. I use storytelling to talk about how we   beads and mosaics. Recently a doll-maker

T
                                                         The Melrose artists and craft-makers have        apply our markings, symbols and stories in our    joined the group. During the year there have
         he Melrose Arts and Crafts Group meets       come from all over the globe and from many          art. The participants are then asked to apply     also been some birthday celebrations and a
         at the Jean McKendry Neighbourhood           different walks of life. Each piece tells a story   their own stories and symbols … This approach     visit to the Werribee Rose Garden.
         Centre every Monday.
                                                      based on the artist’s own experience and it is      makes the transfer of skills and knowledge           If you would like to find out more, you can
   The group held their annual exhibition at
                                                      the sharing of these stories that brings their      much more fluid and enjoyable as it creates an    contact Pat on 0403 443 021, or just call in
Kensington Town Hall from 27 to 29 October.
                                                      work and the group together. As we paint we         opportunity for them to tell their stories.”      on a Monday between 10.00am and 3.00pm
The exhibition featured paintings, including          are strengthening the bonds of community that          Artist Dr Joanne Sullivan has also tutored     when you can meet the group at work. On
still life, landscapes, bird studies and abstracts.   are at the heart of the Jean McKendry Centre.       the group in plein air painting.                  Mondays and Wednesdays between 10.00am
Acrylics, oils and watercolour were all rep-             As part of the Art for all Cultures program,        The group includes both beginners like me      and 3.00pm you will find centre stalwart Wyn
resented, with painted silk scarves also on           Wiradjuri artist, tutor and mentor Judith Young     and experienced painters. The atmosphere is       Mackay, ready for a chat and a cup of coffee.
display.                                              and her daughter Lyn-Al have been sharing           informal and there is plenty of space for more    The address is 91–111 Melrose Street, North
   Jewellery and a variety of knitted and cro-        their cultural practices with the Melrose group.    people to join in. As a newcomer, I have been     Melbourne.
cheted items were on sale. The exhibition was         Judith builds our confidence by demonstrating       inspired by working and sharing with the             The Art for all Cultures program will con-
well attended, and there were a good number           her wide range of skills and ideas.                 group, and impressed by their generosity.         tinue in 2018 and is supported by the City of
of sales. But a fair proportion of the group’s           In Judith’s words: “Through art we can share        On Mondays the main activity has been          Melbourne.

COMMUNITY 3, 14 • THE CENTRE 10 • EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY 15 • SPORT & HEALTH 16 • TRAVEL & FOOD 18 • HISTORY 19 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 20
Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
2 NOTICEBOARD                                                                                                                            North and West Melbourne News SUMMER 2017–2018

                                                                                        NOTICEBOARD

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                                                    on 9658 9729.
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Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
SUMMER 2017–2018 North and West Melbourne News                                                                                                                                              COMMUNITY 3

                                                                                           COMMUNITY

  Phonse Tobin Awards for community champions

  Left to right: Rotary president Manjula Pragasam with Phonse Tobin awardees Anne Shepherd, Arshi Abdi, Hamdi Mohamed and George Te Whaiti                                          Photos: Neville Page

  Neville Page and Stuart McArthur                  Awardees this year were:                           and her administrative and business skills with     advocacy, the association’s members promote
                                                                                                       other students.                                     multiculturalism and social cohesion. They
                                                                                                         As half of the volunteers in The Huddle           offer support for women and young people 24

  N
                                                    Hamdi Mohamed
            ext year will mark the 25th anni-                                                          are under the age of 25, the partnerships that      hours, seven days a week.
                                                    Volunteer at The Huddle
            versary of the Annual Phonse Tobin                                                         NMFC and Rotary can forge with leaders like
            Awards, created in honour of Phonse                                                        Hamdi will help connect our organisations
  Tobin, former member of the Rotary Club of                                                           with the next generation of leaders.
  North Melbourne and former president of the
  North Melbourne Football Club. The annual
                                                                                                       George Te Whaiti (pronounced Te Fighty)
  event recognises his contribution to the com-
                                                                                                       Volunteer at Hotham Mission
  munity of North Melbourne and continues his
  legacy by honouring volunteers who actively                                                          Hotham Mission provides community
  serve their community.                                                                               support for disadvantaged, vulnerable and
     This year’s awards, held on 12 October,                                                           marginalised people in and around North Mel-
  were presented to four highly dedicated vol-                                                         bourne, Flemington and Kensington.
  unteers recommended to the club by sporting,                                                            George, formerly a resident of Ozanam
  cultural and educational organisations in the                                                        House — emergency accommodation for men
  North Melbourne area.                                                                                in crisis — has given back to the community
     Close to 100 guests attended the presenta-                                                        by working collaboratively with services that
  tion this year. Among them were members and                                                          provide support for those experiencing long-
  friends from the Rotary Club of Southbank                                                            term homelessness in the North Melbourne               Arshi had been injured in Somalia and like
  who moved their meeting night to coincide         The Huddle is a program developed by North         area. He is also a much-loved member of this        many others came to Australia as a refugee.
  with the event and continue a strong partner-     Melbourne Football Club (NMFC) in associa-         community and each week leads the music             Moving to Australia is often a huge culture
  ship between the two clubs.                       tion with the Scanlon Foundation and the Aus-      program at the centre, encouraging others to        shock, which becomes even more complex for
     Other attendees included our former district   tralian Multicultural Foundation to improve        express themselves positively through music.        women when their male partners have difficul-
  governor, Neville John, and the wife of the       social cohesion in the North Melbourne com-           Originally from New Zealand, George              ty in changing from a male-dominated society
  current district governor, Anne Frueh. Guest      munity by addressing the causes of disengage-      knows what it’s like to be homeless and what        to one of equality.
  speaker for the night Peter Hollingworth spoke    ment among young people. With the support          it’s like to have to ask for help obtaining food.      Arshi’s role at the association includes vol-
  of his early days in North Melbourne as a         of over 200 volunteers, the club helps young       His passion is helping ensure that families can     unteering as treasurer.
  parish priest, and how the area presented chal-   people to build their lives and their identities   be looked after and be encouraged to find their
  lenges to social inclusion as it does now. The    and use football as an avenue for connecting       way out of homelessness and poverty.
                                                                                                          His role also involves inspecting donated        Anne Shepherd
  awards were also attended by representatives      communities.
                                                                                                       fruit and vegetables, so that a level of dignity    Retired child psychologist at Simonds College
  of the nominating organisations and by Tobin         Hamdi came to Australia in 2011 at the age
  Funerals, who sponsored the event.                of 15, sponsored by her sister, and is inspired    and respect is reflected in the quality of the
                                                                                                       food.                                               A retired child psychologist, Anne Shepherd is
     North Melbourne Rotary would like to ex-       to help young people overcome the challenges                                                           the longest serving volunteer — since 2012 —
  pand the event next year, by partnering with      they face within their community.                                                                      at Simonds College. As a clinical psychologist
  other Rotary clubs in our district that want to      Hamdi has provided administrative support       Arshi Abdi                                          she has worked with youths including those
  recognise people in their communities who         for Indigenous programs run by The Huddle          Volunteer for Somali Women’s Development            with specific learning disabilities, sometimes
  make a difference. As the 25th year of the        in Hume. She also volunteered in excursions        Association                                         observing classroom behaviour in order to
  awards, it is sure to be an event to remember.    to the beach and the Australian Open Tennis                                                            guide and advise teachers and students.
     For further information, about nominating      where she supervised younger participants,         The Somali Women’s Development Associa-                Anne contacted the school through Mercy
  someone for future awards or just for informa-    and generally lends a hand whenever needed.        tion Inc is a non-profit organisation formed in     Connect, which was started by the Mercy Sis-
  tion about the North Melbourne Rotary Club,       She currently provides invaluable support to       2003. Based in Kensington, the organisation         ters to recruit and train volunteers who work
  please email secretary Neville Page at page@      the Careers Pathway Programs by helping out        aims at creating positive change for Somali         in Australian schools. At Simonds College,
  ghp.biz or president Manjula Pragasam at          at reception and through informal tutoring,        women and young people. By focusing on              Anne’s preference is to work with Year 7 and 8
  manjulapragasam108@gmail.com.                     sharing her experience of looking for work         human rights through social development and         students in humanities and English classes.
Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
4 COMMUNITY                                                                                                                                     North and West Melbourne News SUMMER 2017–2018

 Improving Errol Street                                                                                               VERY IMPRESSIVE
 … slowly but surely                                                                                    Hello all

                                                     disabled access at the tram stops has not been     I’m terribly naughty, completely missed my
 Jack Lewis
                                                     introduced as exists in other shopping strips      submission date. It’s been a difficult time for
                                                     along Victoria Street in Abbotsford/Richmond       me since my last column.

 S
         hoppers and visitors will be relieved       and along High Street, Northcote. In the As-
                                                                                                        Our latest fairy godchild (Harlow Eden La-
         that a new public toilet has at last been   sociation’s survey 65 per cent of respondents
                                                                                                        derman), whom I’ve had great difficulty not
         installed beside the men’s urinal in the    supported this idea.
                                                                                                        thinking about — absolutely no idea how her
 Errol Street shopping precinct.                        The highest priority item on the straw poll
                                                                                                        parents have been able to cope — had her
    This was one of several items recommended        held at the 2015 Spring Fling, however, with       memorial garden opened on 11/11/17 and I did
 in a survey conducted by the North and West         256 votes for ‘trees and landscaping’, was         want to include here more writing from her
 Melbourne Association at the Spring Fling           that trees be planted in our shopping area to      mum. Maybe next time. But here’s my reac-
 Festival in October 2015 and shown on a site        provide shade in hot weather and a far more        tion to a friend of her parents naming a star
 plan proposal. There is now a unisex toilet         pleasant environment. This should occur at         after her.
 large enough to provide wheelchair access.          regular intervals on both sides of the road in
    Another item on the 2015 survey was the          Errol Street and in the parts of Victoria Street   A star. A star. A star.
 need to improve safety for pedestrians crossing     where they are lacking.                            Harlow is a star.
 Errol Street. Respondents to the NWMA sur-             The trees could be located on the paving        Harlow was always going to be a star in my
 vey strongly (55 per cent) supported the need
                                                     near the kerb where the verandas are missing       life. Harlow is now a star in my life. Harlow is
 for the shopping precinct to be safer and more                                                         now a star in all our lives.
                                                     and in the road area where the verandas extend
 pedestrian friendly.                                                                                   And Isy Laderman has always been a star of
                                                     out to the kerb. The loss of present car-parking
    It is safer now that the white line markings                                                        my life.
                                                     space would be minimal. It would be most
 have been improved in the central tramline                                                             Glow. Glow. Glow. Twinkle. Went. Our
                                                     beneficial for the North and West Melbourne
 area, and we look forward to the installation of                                                       Harlow.
                                                     community and the many visitors to the area if
 40 km/h signs in Errol Street with the rollout
                                                     the City of Melbourne’s ‘greening’ policy were
 of the new speed limit.                                                                                                                                   Crowds all over Australia have celebrated this
    What is really needed is a physical means        implemented here.                                                                                     result, with Victoria second to the ACT with
 of making speeding drivers aware that pedes-           Also recommended was an improvement             27/08/17                                           almost 65 per cent of eligible voters saying
 trians have priority. This might be achieved        to the general street environment, which is        A competition is underway to name the five         yes. A total of 61.6 per cent of the Australian
                                                     currently dominated by dark bitumen paving.        new CBD stations. But with a review panel to       people have said YES! to gays like me being
 by installing road humps, or alternatively a
                                                     This applies particularly to the area around the   avoid Silly Names.                                 able to marry. Congratulations to all of you
 strip of textured roadway (perhaps made of
 bluestone blocks matching the gutters) located      Arts House, post office and library, where the                                                        who voted, on yes and no sides.
                                                     paving could be extended.                          Personally I like Boaty McBoatface. More at-
 beside the pedestrian crossings at the Queens-
                                                        Landscaping proposals should be developed       tention being drawn to Arctic research by nam-     I’ve been in favour of gay marriage my entire
 berry and Victoria Street ends of the Errol
                                                     including these and other improvements, pre-       ing a boat thus cannot possibly be a bad thing.    life for many reasons. But a main one would
 Street shopping precinct.
                                                     sented to the community for feedback, and          It’s a good look in this sometimes annoyingly      be that the respect and rights that marriage can
    One of the shopkeepers’ suggestions in the
                                                                                                        serious world.                                     entail are crucial for my queer community. I
 survey was implemented in September 2016,           constructed as soon as possible after approval.
 with Yarra Trams replacing the old uneven           Then we could catch up with the standard that                                                         know that I’ve lost far too many friends from
                                                                                                        (Today’s news, 14/11/17: Sydney Harbour’s          their not having that sense of belonging and
 tramlines that produced loud screeching noises      has existed for decades in most other shopping
                                                                                                        addition to the fleet has been named Ferry         community.
 as trams negotiated the tight corners. However,     precincts in the district!
                                                                                                        McFerryface. Clearly there wasn’t a review
                                                                                                        panel on that one.)                                Although Australia is now the 24th country
                                                                                                                                                           to make this momentous change happen, the
                                                                                                        29/08/17                                           world has not fallen into societal collapse and/
                                                                                                        What’s really caught my eye in today’s media       or zombie apocalypse. Clearly that’s worth
                                                                                                        is two men in a boat in Western Australia who      $122 million.
                                                                                                        were visited by a friendly whale. They filmed
                                                                                                        the friendly whale and its antics for over an      To end, I’d like to quote the magnificent John
                                                                                                        hour.                                              Waters, repeated on a sign I made for a mar-
                                                                                                                                                           riage rally seven years ago: “Marriage, it’s not
                                                                                                        Makes me wonder how friendly they could’ve         what I want. But I think it’s worth fighting
                                                                                                        been before humans taught them to be wary          for.” It was given to a teenage girl at the end of
                                                                                                        and frightened of us. Oh what a world we’ve        the rally in Federation Square.
                                                                                                        created.
                                                                                                                                                                           Yours, Very Greer Impressive
                                                                                                        15/11/17
                                                                                                        Amazing marriage survey result!

                                                                                                        7,817,247 for, 4,873,987 against. And now
                                                                                                        apparently same-sex marriage is to be legal by
                                                                                                        Christmas because PM Malcolm Turnbull has
 The NWMA survey and straw poll at Spring Fling 2015                           Photo: Janet Graham      told MPs to “get on with the job”.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        Authorised by D. Lawson, 296 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.

                                            RM               EL B O U R N E
                   FE D ER A L M EM B ER FO

         STANDING UP FOR WHAT MATTERS
         GF1 296 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
            (03) 9417 0759      adam.bandt.mp@aph.gov.au
         adambandt.com                               @Adam.Bandt.MP           @AdamBandt
Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
SUMMER 2017–2018 North and West Melbourne News                                                                                                                                                  COMMUNITY 5

  North and West traders to ‘sell’ themselves
  Katrina Kincade-Sharkey                                 That disparate NWMPA group uniformly            ally, I’ve always been very passionate about
                                                       agrees local traders are able to meet most con-    the North and West Melbourne area,” as are
                                                       sumption needs and desires, given the chance.      most of our readers.

  R
           etailers in all sectors agree: markets      Their common, quite critical problem is that          So Goodrich presented the Precinct Asso-
           need constant reminders of product          much of their potential market doesn’t know        ciation’s 30 October meeting at the North and
           quality and its ready availability. Buy-    they exist.                                        West Melbourne Legion’s clubrooms with his
  ers must be aware of their own ‘needs’, so              Simon Goodrich, 37, runs Portable, a digital    patent recognition that this area needs its own
  sales remain comfortably repetitive for all in       design and technology company “proudly born        image, an atmosphere, a local identity to dis-
  the trading chain.                                   in Melbourne, Australia”, to quote its web         tinguish itself from wider Melbourne’s other
     But we consumers are a fickle lot, with con-      page, which continues: “For over a decade          regions.
  stantly changing likes and those last-minute,        Portable has been at the forefront of design          “There were 27 attendees — a number I’d
  desperate desires. You know what I mean:             and technology, working with governments,          like to see trebled or quadrupled to around
  last season’s styles/concepts/tastes (especially     businesses and entire organisations to drive       100 in a couple of years,” he says. That’s not       of this area’s semi-industrial history, mixed
  tastes!) in cameras or cars, in chardonnay or        change.”                                           so ambitious, given the several thousand busi-       with the friendly ambience of Queen Victoria
                                                          Now operating with 10 employees at the          nesses registered locally.                           Market and its 57 tram access, all heightened
  clothing, in cell phones or cinema, are so Old
                                                       repurposed Tre-sur Knitting Mills in Colling-         “Like I said, that disparate group came from      by this neighbourhood’s comfortable ‘walk-
  Hat, and those spectacles … ugh!
                                                       wood, Goodrich’s Portable began its design         a massive socio-economic cross, so they’d cer-       ability’.
     We inner-Melburnians are incessantly
                                                       journey in his North Melbourne home studio,        tainly ‘talk to’ most market sections, but North        “Of course, this region’s progression was
  ‘trendy’ in so many market spheres — just ask
                                                       following his graduation with a Bachelor of        and West Melbourne does not have a distinct          pivotal in the political consciousness, while
  our shopkeepers, our restaurateurs, our hair-
                                                       Geomatic Engineering and Urban Planning            image when presenting itself to the outside          the local arts awareness has always been cel-
  dressers or greengrocers, even our hoteliers                                                            world,” he groans, rubbing his coffee cup.
                                                       from the University of Melbourne.
  and petrol-station franchisees. Those people                                                                                                                 ebrated in the Fringe Festival and at our local
                                                          Goodrich has specialised in digital planning       “We’re not Lygon, or Chapel and certainly
  need to meet eternally changing markets of                                                                                                                   arts space, the Meat Market,” he says, gently
                                                       for 12 years. “We work with teams of people        not the CBD, yet we have aspects of all three
  education and visual awareness, of health con-                                                                                                               thumping the coffee table.
                                                       to specify root causes of problems for core        — just no patent image,” he recognises.
  sciousness and other ad campaigns.                                                                                                                              “That historic image was close to most
                                                       purpose companies,” he explains. “They may            NWMPA engaged Portable to research
     They need to meet this market head-on to          be local governments or not-for-profit bodies      and evaluate ideas from local residents and          people’s hearts,” he continues. “Our challenge
  have any hope of business survival.                  like the local Precinct Association. We’ll do      businesses about how they’d like this area por-      now is to distil those images into a way to pro-
     North and West Melbourne Precinct Associ-         their website design and marketing campaign        trayed. The designers are utilising images with      mote this area to the wider community.”
  ation members have traded here from just one         strategies undertaken in branding workshops,       a historical base — even pre-European settle-           Simon Goodrich says there’s only a certain
  month to 50 years’ duration. Aged from 20 to         among other tools.”                                ment — along with integrated public housing,         amount that the City of Melbourne and differ-
  75 years they represent this region’s glorious          This young man is acutely controlled and        reflecting a French-village mentality, yet with      ent State Government departments can do to
  socio-economic mix, so fully comprehend our          deliberate in his care and concern for his home    wide, treed streets and easy access to the CBD.      promote this area, so the Precinct Association
  specific wants and needs.                            base: “I’ve lived here for 17 years and, person-      They’ll also utilise our ‘true grit’ image born   has to take charge. Let’s wish them luck.

  Precinct Association has a Christmas picnic!
  Tatiana Echeverri                                       The next event in the schedule is a Christmas   Santa Claus appearance: At the small en-
                                                       evening, an activity that aims to bring together   tertainment area on the grass, Santa will tell a
                                                       members of the community of all ages and from      short Christmas story and hand out small gifts

  O
           nce again the North and West                different religious and cultural backgrounds to    Christmas carols: Errol’s Angels Community
           Melbourne Precinct Association              share and celebrate the end of the year.           Choir singing Christmas carols along Errol
           (NWMPA) is taking over a space                 On Friday 8 December our streets will           Street
  to share with the community, this time to            come alive with Christmas cheer as the second      Open-air cinema: Projecting a family movie
  celebrate Christmas.                                 NWMPA Christmas celebration takes place            with a Christmas theme
     The Precinct Association conducts a grow-         right in the heart of North and West Melbourne.    Local traders’ activities and promotions:
  ing calendar of events and promotional activi-       Street entertainment will take off from 5.00pm     NWMPA members and other local businesses
  ties during the year for the benefit of the wider    ready to get you in the Christmas spirit.          will conduct Christmas-themed activities and
  community. Among its aims are to provide                Whether you bring a picnic and settle in        hand out giveaways
  local support and leadership for the area’s          with the family or pop by for some delicious       Music: Enjoy beats and tunes from some local
  businesses and foster relationships between          takeaway options and a quick glimpse of the        buskers
  them and local residents, while improving the        festivities, you’re sure to have a merry time!     Comedy: An MC will make sure the entertain-
  everyday lifestyle and security of everyone                                                             ment zings
                                                       Event name:
  who lives and works here.                                                                               Raffle: Take part in a Christmas raffle, with
                                                       Northside Community Christmas Picnic
     In doing this it hopes to create a positive and                                                      the proceeds donated to a local community
                                                       Date: Friday 8 December
  forward-looking image of our community for                                                              charity
                                                       Time: 5.00pm – 10.00pm
  visitors to the area.
                                                       Location: Errol Street between Queensberry
     Most recently, the NWMPA made an enor-                                                               Find out more about the activities and en-
                                                       Street and Purcell Street
  mous contribution to the Spring Fling Street                                                            tertainment in our social media and on the
  Festival as a major sponsor, providing a main        Program overview                                   website at www.northwestmelbourne.com.au             The Precinct Music Stage at Spring Fling:
  stage for performers to entertain visitors           Family entertainment: Kids’ performers,            and bring the family and friends along for an        ‘That Gold Street Sound’ with Ned on
  throughout the day.                                  comedy and music                                   evening full of fun.                                 baritone sax            Photo: Jim Weatherill

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Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
6 COMMUNITY                                                                                                                                       North and West Melbourne News SUMMER 2017–2018

 Abbeyfield House celebrates 20 years
 Liz Clifford                                          much-needed housing option for older people       success of the house over many years, while
                                                       and to save a historic landmark.                  also volunteering their services for other
                                                          After considerable work and with support       organisations.

 T
        he Abbeyfield House in Brougham                from Melbourne City Council, the State Gov-          Other special guests included the act-
        Street recently celebrated 20 years since      ernment and philanthropic funds, the building     ing CEO of Abbeyfield Australia, Dimitri
        the first residents began to move in.          was redeveloped to provide separate rooms         Kiriacoulacos, and John Lawrence from the
    Abbeyfield houses were first founded in            for 10 residents, a kitchen, laundry and lounge   board of Abbeyfield Australia.
 Britain after World War II, to provide afford-        rooms over three levels.                             Ellen Sandell, our State MP for Melbourne,
 able accommodation to independent older                  Since the house opened it has provided a       attended the afternoon tea, met with residents
 people, and the style of housing has spread           home to some 36 people, one of whom has           and enjoyed a guided tour of the house by two
                                                       been living there since late 1997.                of the residents.
 internationally, arriving in Australia in 1981.
                                                          On Thursday 26 October the anniversary
 Houses are managed by local volunteer com-
                                                       was celebrated with an afternoon tea at the
 mittees, while a paid housekeeper provides
                                                       house. We welcomed family and friends of
 meals.                                                residents, together with past and present staff
    The North Melbourne house is unique be-            and committee members, and were particular-
 cause it occupies the former Methodist church,        ly pleased that two founding committee mem-
 which was no longer required and was in               bers, Mike Roche and Beth Stevenson, were                                                             From left, Beth Stevenson, Mike Roche and
 danger of becoming derelict. A group of con-          able to join us.                                  Liz Clifford is secretary of the Abbeyfield         Ellen Sandell MP cutting the special cake
 cerned locals saw the opportunity to create a            Both Mike and Beth contributed to the          House committee.                                                           Photo: Ada Bombardieri

 ‘Macaulay’ update                                                                                       Light Up! — an inclusive
                                                                                                         approach to church
 Rohan Leppert,                                           The second surprise was a nasty one —
 Greens Councillor for Melbourne                       Council’s request to rezone land abutting
                                                       Moonee Ponds Creek to ‘public park and
                                                       recreation’ was not approved. Some VicTrack

 A
           fter five long years, new land use and      land in Kensington on Stubbs Street remains
           built-form controls were approved for       ‘industrial’, meaning that plans for public ac-
           the north-west corner of North Mel-         cess to and rejuvenation of the Moonee Ponds
 bourne in October by the Planning Minister.           Creek remain elusive and difficult.
    Planning Scheme Amendment C190 (part                  While development controls have been lift-
 1) rezones industrial land to mixed uses and          ed, new and improved open space commensu-
 applies new height controls, ranging from 4–6         rate with the needs of a growing community is
 storeys along Melrose Street to 9–12 storeys          still clearly inadequate.
 west of Boundary Road. Height controls are               While Council can make improvement
 coupled with significant setback requirements         around the edges — such as the Kensington
 to facilitate welcoming streets.                      Station park I secured in the previous term of
    While the endorsement of this amendment            Council, or the Gardiner Reserve expansion
 provides some certainty for all parties at last,      that Councillor Oke and I have secured this
 the minister threw in two surprises.                  term (shovels in the ground this financial
    The first is that the built-form controls have a   year!) — the State Government needs to co-
 two-year sunset clause, meaning that there will       ordinate its ministries and agencies if Moonee
 be another round of planning scheme amend-            Ponds Creek is going to be the vibrant and
 ment and public consultation processes. Though        healthy open-space corridor that we, and future
 frustrating and a significant resourcing burden       populations, need it to be.
 on Council and the community, this could be a            I have written in more detail about the new
 good opportunity to improve the controls, par-        planning controls and where to from here,
 ticularly in relation to affordable housing.          available at www.tinyurl.com/MacaulayUpdate
                                                                                                         Washing feet is a sensory, caring liturgical activity             Photo: St Mary’s Anglican Church

                                                                                                         Josephine Snowdon                                   children, but it has now evolved to give uncon-
                                                                                                                                                             ditional welcome to adults as well. Participa-

                                                                                                         I
                                                                                                                                                             tion in this service is possible according to abil-
                                                                                                             n 2015 St Mary’s Anglican Church on             ity and desire, with children and adults equally
                                                                                                             Queensberry Street began a new service —
                                                                                                                                                             valued. Younger worshippers are active in lead-
                                                                                                             Light Up! — designed to appeal to those
                                                                                                                                                             ing some parts of the service, which encourag-
                                                                                                         with sensory and related challenges, for whom
                                                                                                         regular church services are often difficult.        es relationship building and learning together
                                                                                                         Light Up! took place at 3.00pm on one Sunday        across our differences in age and ability.
                                                                                                         each month.                                            Light Up! finishes at 10.45am, so those who
                                                                                                            In 2017 we are pleased to report back to the     wish to receive communion have time to move
                                                                                                         community on how this initiative has devel-         across to the main church building. Some
                                                                                                         oped.                                               choose to stay behind for art and craft. Both
                                                                                                            At St Mary’s we have two traditional ser-
                                                                                                                                                             congregations (Eucharist and Light Up!) meet
                                                                                                         vices every Sunday, one at 8.00am and one at
                                                                                                                                                             for morning tea and our monthly parish com-
                                                                                                         10.00am, the latter being a Sung Eucharist.
                                                                                                         Light Up! now runs at 10.00am on the first          munity luncheon afterwards.
                                                                                                         Sunday of every month, in tandem with the              Light Up! is proud to share the 2016 vision
                                                                                                         more formal service, in the relaxed, safe envi-     of the Faith Communities Council of Victoria.
                                                                                                         ronment of our newly refurbished parish hall.       We play our part in ensuring that people are
                                                                                                            Light Up! is an adapted service of ‘Prayer,      not marginalised in worship through disabil-
                                                                                                         Praise and Proclamation’. This worship service      ity. Light Up! is a place where difference is
                                                                                                         focuses on calming sensory experiences for          embraced through the principles of justice,
                                                                                                         relaxation, prayerful meditation and reflection
                                                                                                                                                             equality and love.
                                                                                                         through the senses, including the sense of touch,
                                                                                                         colour and movement with inspirational music.       St Mary’s Anglican is on the corner of Howard
                                                                                                            We use visual and auditory prompts to guide
                                                                                                                                                             and Queensberry streets, North Melbourne.
                                                                                                         worshippers through the service, and try to
                                                                                                         meet the physical and sensory needs of all par-     For further information please contact lay
                                                                                                         ticipants. We aim to be less reliant on language    minister Josephine Snowdon at lightup@st-
 Zone changes in Macaulay as approved by the Minister for Planning                                       than more traditional services.                     marys.org.au or visit us on Facebook at www.
                                                                  Graphic: City of Melbourne                In 2015 Light Up! began with a focus on          facebook.com/lightupatstmarys
Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
SUMMER 2017–2018 North and West Melbourne News                                                                                                                                               COMMUNITY 7

  Hairdressing with heart at Children’s Hospital
  Kelly Eng

  I
       n our busy, stressful lives, insignificant
       things — a cold latte or a parking fine —
       can be infuriating. It’s always helpful to
  get some perspective, and when it comes to
  getting perspective there’s nothing like the
  thought of a seriously ill child.
     Three years ago Malvern hairdresser Fiona
  Payet was given the opportunity to open a sa-
  lon at the Royal Children’s Hospital servicing
  staff, patients and the public. Her very first
  client was a paraplegic boy whose mother had
  to wheel him into Salon Royale on his bed.
     From that moment, Fiona made the decision
  not to charge any patient, and her unfailing
  kindness has seen her help over 700 children.
     She’s supported hundreds of families along
  the way and has been with them through some
  tough times: seven-year-old Adam, who had
  weekly ‘dates’ with Fiona while undergoing
  two major heart operations; Audrey, whom Fio-
  na treated to a surprise ride in a pink stretched
  Hummer after the patient underwent a heart
  transplant; and a teenage girl who enjoyed Fio-
  na’s pampering after she emerged from a coma
  following a traumatic car accident.
     Fiona feels that working at the hospital has
  changed her. “It’s a huge eye-opener to work
  in this environment,” she says. “I used to have
  clients complain they needed more hairspray.
  The kids here are inspiring — they’re so
  strong. They teach you not to sweat the small
  things.”
     It’s easy to see that Fiona is a much-loved
  fixture at the hospital. She remembers every-
  one’s name and her salon is a hub of activity.
  Passing staff members get Freddo Frogs,
  young patients say hello and Fiona talks to
  parents about how their children are progress-
  ing in their treatment.
     Fiona’s compassion extends to the many
  parents and carers too, some of whom are
  going through their hardest times. “They’re
                                                      Fiona with patients in her salon at the Royal Children’s Hospital                                                                    Photo: Kelly Eng
  amazing people — it can be so lonely for them
  staying here. I sit them down and I say ‘I’m        happy. I get a hug and a kiss, they write me        biggest heart of anyone I know, thank you for     You can support Fiona Payet in the following
  going to do your hair and I’m not taking no for     cards, offer to sweep the floor and send me         looking after the kids. We may be gone but        ways:
  an answer’.”                                        photos … it all makes my day.”                      you’re not forgotten.                             • Book an appointment with Fiona at Salon
     Sadly, some of the children Fiona meets do         Salon Royale’s Facebook page shows the               Fiona loves her job and hopes she can re-      Royale, ground floor, Royal Children’s Hos-
  not make it.                                        many families that have benefited from Fio-         main at the hospital for as long as possible so   pital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, on 9349
     “I’ve been to funerals and that’s tough. But     na’s support and friendship.                        she can continue to support the kids, though      4362 or at www.salonroyale.com.au
  it’s a privilege to work here. I’ve been touched      Narelle writes: Fiona you’re an incredible        it’s not easy being a one-woman small-busi-       • Contribute to Salon Royale’s rent at www.
  by so many kids and I feel like I’ve been put       woman. I don’t know how Stacey would have           ness owner.                                       gofundme.com/hairdresserwithheart
  here for a reason.                                  coped with the effects of illness without your         “My aim is to keep my doors open as long       • Share this story so that Fiona’s enormous
     “The kids might be sick but they’re always       support and encouragement. You have the             as I can,” she says.                              contribution can be recognised.

  Will the big Abbotsford Street public housing
  redevelopment deliver for its residents?
  Dan Stubbs and John Mangan                             When a public housing estate in Carlton          places on their return to the neighbourhood.      and had to wrestle with considerable fines due
                                                      was recently redeveloped, despite expectations         Similar concerns exist regarding Abbotsford    to limited car parking. Having dealt with seri-
                                                      that social housing would increase 10 per cent,     Street’s local secondary school, University

  R
                                                                                                                                                            ous family violence, homelessness and mental
           esidents of Abbotsford Street public       the number of public housing tenants actually       High, whose website states: “Those families       illness, all while caring for four children on
           housing now earmarked for redevel-         decreased by a third from 510 residents to          that move out of our zone will be expected to     her own, she found stable accommodation in
           opment are concerned that they will be     341. Similarly, a Kensington redevelopment in       relocate their children to their new neighbour-
                                                                                                                                                            public housing.
  forced to change their children’s schools, that     2012 saw a 35 per cent decrease in the number       hood school.”
                                                                                                                                                               There was parking provided for tenants only,
  they may not be able to return, and that if they    of social housing properties from 694 to 444.          In a submission to the Department of En-
                                                                                                                                                            but often people who didn’t live in the housing
  can return they will be faced with grossly inad-       The service also urges the government to         vironment, Land, Water and Planning, Inner
                                                      ensure that residents’ children are able to con-    Melbourne Legal argues that, with a social        used their car park, forcing Lucy to park on the
  equate parking.                                                                                                                                           street and incur ever-increasing fines, which
                                                      tinue their schooling without disruption. The       housing waiting list of over 50,000 applicants,
     Inner Melbourne Community Legal (IMCL),
                                                      Department of Health and Human Services             questions should be asked about the wisdom of     she struggled to pay from her Centrelink ben-
  which provides assistance to the most vulnera-
                                                      has committed to paying reasonable relocation       selling public housing land to developers.        efits. The legal service was able to assist her
  ble members of our community, has urged the
                                                      costs and giving existing tenants first priority       “We note that the Carlton estate sales reve-   to get a street parking permit and go on a pay-
  Victorian Government to minimise disruption         to return once the redevelopment is complete,       nue was projected to make in excess of $300       ment plan for her fines, but is understandably
  to the Abbotsford Street tenants and vigorous-      but it remains likely that tenants unable to find   million for its developers — Australand,” the     concerned about housing redevelopments that
  ly defend their interests in the development        nearby accommodation will have to change            submission says, urging the State Government      might increase pressure on parking.
  scheme.                                             their children’s schools at least temporarily.      to focus on meeting increasing demand for
     The service urges the government to commit          With the closest primary school, North Mel-      social housing.                                   Dan Stubbs is CEO of Inner Melbourne Com-
  to at least maintaining the volume of public        bourne Primary in Errol Street, at capacity it         IMCL cites Lucy as an example of a client      munity Legal. John Mangan is on its commit-
  housing in the redevelopments.                      may not be possible for the children to secure      they have assisted who lived in public housing    tee of management.
Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
8 COMMUNITY                                                                                                                                   North and West Melbourne News SUMMER 2017–2018

                                      North and West
                                      Melbourne
                                      Association
 NWMA 50th anniversary dinner                      Arguments against the WGTP presented at the
 The Association celebrated its 50th year in       panel hearing include:
 grand style on 25 October with the help of two    • The WGTP would compromise strategic
 other local institutions. The City of Melbourne     planning for the E-Gate and Arden urban
 Bowls Club provided an excellent venue for          renewal sites. The proposed elevated
 the 55 NWMA members and friends who at-             Wurundjeri Way extension between Dynon
 tended, and Amiconi Restaurant catered with a       Road and Dudley Street across the E-Gate
                                                                                                       NWMA chair Kevin Chamberlin speaks at the dinner                       Photos: Bridget Macwhirter
 delicious three-course meal.                        site would expose West Melbourne to an
   A highlight was the guest speaker, the            unsightly road structure with probable
                                                                                                       • It is misleading to show this triangular area    Institute in Queensberry Street. We often have
 Hon Richard Wynne, Planning Minister and            decreased air quality and increased noise
                                                                                                          as ‘green’.                                     interesting guest speakers. This year there have
 Member for Richmond, who reminisced about           levels.
                                                                                                       • The Development Plan Overlay (DPO)
 North and West Melbourne’s earlier days and       • Off-ramps at Dynon Road would see peak                                                               been presentations from the City of Melbourne
                                                                                                          should have a preferred maximum height of
 some past political shenanigans. NWMA chair         traffic conditions expand in parts of West                                                           (CoM) on the Queen Victoria Market redevel-
                                                                                                          five storeys across the entire site.
 Kevin Chamberlin, who grew up in North              Melbourne and North Melbourne to almost                                                              opment, the draft West Melbourne Structure
                                                                                                       • The interface to Molesworth Street should
 Melbourne and Parkville, responded in similar       the whole day. As the City of Melbourne
                                                                                                          have a maximum of three storeys, additional     Plan and the Gardiner Reserve expansion
 vein.                                               finalises its West Melbourne Structure Plan,
                                                                                                          storeys being limited to two with a mini-       project, and we met the CoM Placemaking and
                                                     the projected increase in vehicle numbers,
                                                                                                          mum setback of 10 metres.
                                                     such as 5000 more in Hawke Street, casts a                                                           Engagement team.
                                                                                                       The Association’s submission, however, goes
                                                     cloud over the whole structure plan.                                                                    We also heard from Jenny Smith, Council
                                                                                                       further, arguing that a lower height limit of 11
                                                   • The proposed network of overhead roads
                                                                                                       metres, or three storeys, should be imposed in     to Homeless Persons CEO, and Rob McLeod
                                                     connecting CityLink over Moonee Ponds
                                                     Creek would adversely affect the creek’s          accordance with the recent residential zoning      from Adam Bandt MP’s office, standing in for
                                                     health and biodiversity. The potential for        for this area. Other concerns are discussed        Ellen Sandell MP, who had been detained in
                                                     this site as a linear park has been greatly ex-   elsewhere in this edition of the News.
                                                                                                                                                          Parliament.
                                                     aggerated, for both wildlife and humans, as                                                             The next NWMA meeting will probably
                                                     the site is isolated and public access would      NWMA meetings and contact
                                                                                                                                                          be on Tuesday 20 February 2018. Check our
                                                     be limited.                                       details
                                                   • The huge elevated Footscray Road con-             Association meetings take place on the             website at www.nwma.org.au or email info@
                                                     struction would create a physical and visual      third Tuesday of most months at the Bastow         nwma.org.au for information.
                                                     barrier to any links between future develop-
                                                     ments in this area.
                                                   • The proposed veloway is unattractive, un-
                                                     safe for cyclists and subject to unhealthy
                                                     vehicle emissions from the road above. With
 Minister Richard Wynne addresses the                a width of 4 metres and no ‘escape’ route,
 Association’s 50th anniversary dinner               there would be insufficient room for fast
                                                     cyclists to overtake slower ones safely with
    A number of attendees also had memories          riders travelling in both directions.
 going back to the 1950s and ’60s and the talks    • Exit ramps beside the Maribyrnong River
 sparked many lively conversations around the        would compromise the open-space corridor
 tables.                                             that serves as a valuable walking, cycling
    Guests also had a second opportunity to          and recreation area along this major water-
 watch the rolling slide show of heritage pho-       way.
 tographer Graeme Butler’s 1982–83 photos,
 this time on the Bowls Club’s big screen.         Abbotsford Street Estate renewal
 These, and the personal reflections supplied      Two inquiries into the Department of Health
 by NWMA members and superimposed on the           and Human Services’ plan to upgrade nine
 images, prompted further discussion.              public housing estates across Melbourne are
                                                   taking place concurrently.
 Spring Fling Festival 2017                           Planning Panels Victoria appointed a
 The NWMA had another very successful day          Social Housing Renewal Standing Advisory
 at Spring Fling, engaging festival-goers with     Committee to receive submissions and
 plans and handouts on the major planning pro-     assess the proposals for all sites, includ-
 posals in the pipeline affecting North and West   ing Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne.             The NWMA team at the Association’s Spring Fling stall                         Photo: Jim Weatherill
 Melbourne. The slide show of Graeme Butler’s      Meanwhile there is a Legislative Council
 photos (see above) had its first screening on a   Inquiry into the Public Housing Renewal
 monitor in the library window. This was anoth-    Program, which has a wider scope and broader
 er drawcard.                                      terms of reference than those for the Planning
    The Association’s stall again had plants —     Panels Victoria hearings.
 mainly succulent cuttings — for sale, as well        We believe the Abbotsford Street plans have
 as packets of seeds, sprays of herbs and seed     been rushed, with poor notification to tenants
 potatoes. There was a busy trade in the huge      and their neighbours, putting undue pressure

                                                                                                                                    City North
 pile of donated second-hand books selling         on the community to respond. We further con-
 for 50 cents each. Proceeds will be shared        tend that this project should not proceed until                                                                          Physiotherapy
 between the Association and the North West        the Parliamentary Inquiry has presented its
 Patch community garden venture.                   report, due in March 2018.                                                     PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC                      Massage
    Congratulations go to Michael Walker in his       The City of Melbourne’s submission to the
 first year as The Centre’s event manager for      Standing Advisory Committee for Abbotsford                                                                               Pilates
 Spring Fling.                                     Street upholds many of the community’s ob-
                                                   jections, including:
 West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP)                   • There should be significantly more open                          59 Errol Street
 The WGTP Inquiry and Advisory Committee              space and tree cover on the site.
 has completed its report and the Planning         • The “tower-and-podium morphology” to                            North Melbourne
 Minister and his department are now deliber-         Abbotsford and Haines streets is out of
 ating.                                               context with street interfaces and the local                                                                                    city
    Even before the official hearing into this        neighbourhood.                                              Open Monday to Saturday                                             north
 controversial project began, there were press     • The suggested footprint and height
 reports that claims about the economic and           (nine storeys) for the site denoted ‘For                                                                               physiotherapy clinic
 traffic benefits had been distorted or mis-          Educational Purposes’ are “inappropriate on
 represented and the disadvantages ignored.           this site for any use”.
Melrose group: sharing stories through art - The Centre
SUMMER 2017–2018 North and West Melbourne News                                                                                                                           COMMUNITY 9

  A public toilet for North Melbourne
  Valerie Gerrand                                      Melbourne. An above-ground toilet for North                                                    1: The Exeloo on an Auckland
                                                       Melbourne was approved in the CoM Public                                                       wharf awaiting shipment,
                                                                                                                                                      21 June

  T
                                                       Toilet Plan for 2008–13, with construction                                                     Photo: courtesy City of Melbourne
          his is a good-news story. After many         indicated for 2012–13.
          stops and starts, North Melbourne now                                                                                                       2: Digging up and removing the
                                                          In 2009 the CoM proposed that a ‘silver                                                     concrete, 17 October
          has a 24-hour, public unisex toilet in the
                                                       bullet’-style Exeloo be provided in Queens-                                                    Photo: Valerie Gerrand
  Errol Street precinct.
                                                       berry Street at the intersection with Leveson
     The toilet is located in Queensberry Street,                                                                                                     3: Preparing the site,
                                                       Street. This proposal was knocked back by the                                                  17 October
  alongside the existing public urinal on the
                                                       NWMA on several grounds: the location was                                                      Photo: Janet Graham
  corner of Errol and Queensberry streets. The
                                                       too far from the main shopping strip in Errol                                                  4: The kiwi has landed!
  facade is heritage green, similar to that of the
                                                       Street and too close to a very busy intersec-                                                  24 October
  urinal, and the decoration is almost identical.                                                                                                     Photo: Helen Lew Ton
                                                       tion; the surrounding street lighting was inad-
     Excavation for the toilet’s installation began
                                                       equate at dusk and night-time; and finally, the                                            1
  in mid-October. However, the campaign for a
                                                       silver-bullet design was out of keeping with
  toilet goes back nearly 20 years. It was initially
                                                       the green heritage facade of the nearby urinal.
  prompted by the 1998 closure of the under-
                                                          The CoM’s response was that as this propos-
  ground public toilet at the intersection of King
                                                       al was unacceptable North Melbourne would
  and Hawke streets. That toilet was installed in
                                                       have to wait another four years before a differ-
  1938 but by the late 1990s was deemed unsafe.
                                                       ent design would be forthcoming!
  However, local residents did not support the            By 2014, as there had been no further CoM
  proposed alternative sites: above-ground in the      action, the NWMA made yet another request
  same location, or across the road next to the        for a new public toilet. This was repeated in
  cenotaph.                                            2015 by the author of this article, followed
     The closure meant that North Melbourne’s          by a formal submission signed off by Kevin               2                                                                3
  main shopping precinct no longer had 24-hour         Chamberlin as NWMA chair. The NWMPA
  public toilet facilities for both sexes. The only    also supported provision of a toilet. And many
  options left were the heritage-listed male uri-      respondents to an informal survey undertaken
  nal on Queensberry Street (built in 1909), op-       by the NWMA at the October 2015 Spring
  posite the town hall, and the male and female        Fling agreed with the site being adjacent to the
  toilets in the library.                              urinal, but not with a silver-bullet-style Exeloo.
     However, the library’s hours are irregular as        Approval finally came in February 2016 for
  on most days it does not open until 10.00am          the toilet to be included in the 2016–17 budget.
  (or later on Fridays and Sundays) and closes         At last it seemed that the CoM was becoming              4                                                                5
  at 5.00 or 6.00pm. In addition, after the North      more attuned to residents’ needs.
  Melbourne Town Hall became a dedicated Arts             In October 2016, local traders were in-
  House, its facilities were no longer accessible      formed that a new public toilet would be pro-
  to the public.                                       vided, with the project to start in March 2017.
     Local residents and traders agreed on the         On 21 June we had the first hint that the proj-
  need for a 24-hour public toilet, and a cam-         ect was on the home stretch, when the CoM
  paign gathered momentum. From 2003 to                sent Jane Poynter, NWMA secretary, a photo
  2009 and beyond, two local residents, Lorraine       of the new toilet.
  Siska and Alba Gatto, took turns in leading the         To our amazement, it was sitting on an
  advocacy for a new toilet. They were backed                                                                   6                                                                7
                                                       Auckland wharf awaiting shipment to Austra-
  by the North and West Melbourne Association          lia. That was the first time we realised the loo
  (NWMA), often in conjunction with the North          had been fabricated ‘across the ditch’.
  and West Melbourne Precinct Association                 By August 2017 we had confirmation the
  (NWMPA).                                             toilet was ready for installation, but excavation
     In 2003 the NWMA sent a petition to the           did not start until October. At that point, sev-
  City of Melbourne (CoM) with around 100              eral residents were ready with their cameras.        5: Pushing the loo into place,
                                                                                                            24 October
  signatories requesting a new public toilet.          At times we caused consternation amongst             Photo: Helen Lew Ton
  They wanted a toilet situated next to the            contractors, who needed reassurance that our
                                                                                                            6: Plumbing in, 24 October
  heritage urinal in Queensberry Street. An in-        enthusiastic snapping just followed many years       Photo: Janet Graham
  dicative design was provided by Alba Gatto’s         of waiting for the toilet.
                                                                                                            7: Smiles all round, 24 October
  partner, Alan Ashley, but the proposal got no           At the time of writing this article, the final    Photo: Janet Graham
  traction with the CoM.                               date for the toilet to become operational is not
                                                                                                            8: Settled in for the night,
     The NWMA and the NWMPA in 2008 again              yet clear, but its appearance after such a long      24 October
  pursued the need for a public toilet for North       campaign is very welcome.                            Photo: Peter Gerrand              8

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